Before we install EAC, we have to install LAME. LAME, short for Lame
Ain’t an MP3 Encoder, is in fact an MP3 encoder. It allows EAC to take
the raw .wav files ripped from the CD and compress them into more useful
high-bitrate MP3s.

The LAME homepage provides information about the encoder and offers its
source code, but you can download pre-compiled executables of the LAME
code at RareWares. If you download the zipped binaries from RareWares,
there’s no installation to speak of—you just unzip the files, including
LAME.exe, into a folder and you’re good to go. We recommend putting them
in a subdirectory of Program Files.

Next, you’ll need to visit the EAC website and download the latest
version of the software. Run the executable, and install it wherever you
like. Pay attention during the installation, as EAC will try and slip
an eBay button onto your system, unless you uncheck the box when it asks
which features you want installed.

Once the installer is finished with its work, EAC will launch and the
configuration wizard will start. Here, it will attempt to locate the
drive you’ll be using to rip CDs; confirm that it has found the correct
drive, or select the one you wish to use. When the wizard asks if you
want to focus on speed or ripping accuracy, select ripping accuracy.

Now, EAC will run diagnostics on your CD drive. You’ll be asked to
insert a clean music CD, so pick an unscratched disc from your
collection, pop it in, and press Next.

Assuming there were no problems with your CD drive, you’ll be able to
click through a few more install screens, until it asks you what sort of
compression you want to use. Select the MP3 option. It will then inform
you that you need an MP3 encoder, which you’ve already downloaded, so
browse to the folder holding the LAME.exe file when EAC starts searching
for it.
Now, you’ll be asked to enter an email address, which is required for
you to access the freeDB online ID3 tags database. Finish off the
configuration wizard by selecting a file naming scheme for your rips
from the huge selection in the dropdown. When prompted, choose to run
EAC in expert mode.

Now that the configuration wizard is done, there are still a few more
options to change to get the most out of EAC. First, go to EAC >
Drive Options, and dismiss the warning box that pops up. Now, insert a
scratched CD into your drive, and click the Examine C2 Feature button.
If EAC tells you that your drive is capable of finding C2 error
information, check the box next to "Drive is capable of retrieving C2
error information.” This will noticeably increase the speed of your
rips.

Next, we’ll configure the MP3 bitrate, so click to EAC > Compression
Options. LAME can encode MP3s in all sorts of different bitrates, but
we’re not living in 2003 here—storage is dirt-cheap and everyone’s an
audiophile, so we’re going to set EAC to use LAME’s V0 profile, the
highest variable bitrate setting. To do this, change the field labeled
"Additional command-line options” to %l-V 5%l%h-V 0%h --vbr-new %s %d.
(Note that the number in the middle has changed from a 2 to a 0.) With
these command-line options, as long as the "High quality” radial button
is selected, LAME will use the V0 profile, regardless of what is
selected in the bitrate dropdown menu.

To automate your rips, change these options: In the General tab, check
the box marked "On unknown CDs” and click the radial button next to
"Automatically access online freedb database.” Also, check "Eject CD
after extraction finished” for faster ripping of multiple discs.

In the Directories tab, click the "Use this directory” radial button, and select a folder to store your newly encoded MP3s.

Step 3: Rip a Disc

Finally, it’s time to rip a disc to your hard drive. Insert a music CD
into your drive and EAC will display a list of tracks. If you selected
the "Automatically access online freedb database” option, as instructed,
EAC should automatically download track names and other ID3 tags for
the CD. Give the tags a quick once-over, to make sure they’re correct.

Click Action > Test & Copy Selected Tracks > Compressed to
kick off the burning process. From here on out, it’s hands-off—just give
EAC time to do its thing. It will take considerably longer to rip the
MP3s with EAC than it would with iTunes, but the MP3s created will be as
close to error-free as you can get.

Step 4: Say Thanks!
It wouldn't hurt to click that little button in the corner, could it?